Worka Chelbessa Washing Station

The story

The washing station was established in 2017 by entrepreneur Negusse Debela, who was inspired to enter the coffee industry after experiencing specialty coffee in Minnesota. He expanded his operations in 2019 by acquiring an additional site in the nearby Danche area. The station serves as a central processing hub for hundreds of smallholder farmers in the Gedeb district of the Gedeo zone.

Challenges

The station operates in a region where coffee production relies on the labor and output of hundreds of smallholder farmers, requiring significant coordination for cherry collection and processing.

Innovations

The facility utilizes double fermentation techniques and supports local community initiatives, including annual seedling distribution and fundraising for the Chelbesa Primary School project.